Sunday: Hidden Lust — Matthew 5:27-28
The Pharisees and scribes had reduced the meaning of God’s holy commandments to apply only to outward actions. Jesus taught clearly that one who has sin within his heart need not commit sinful actions to be under sin’s penalty and destruction. The Old Testament separated sin into two primary categories: transgressions and iniquities. Transgressions were the outward commissions of sinful acts, while iniquity referred to the sinful inclinations and lustful passions within one’s heart. To have clean hands and a pure heart, we must deal with both aspects (Psalms 24:4), neither “lifting up the soul” (sinful nature), nor “swearing deceitfully” (outward sins).
Monday: Crucifying the Flesh — Matthew 5:29-30
There are some who have placed a literal translation on these verses, proposing that maiming the physical body would produce holiness. This analysis is misguided, for a man can be spiritually lost while lacking both hands and eyesight. Jesus’ meaning here had to do with our attitude toward sin and earthly passions. We must not feed our lustful passions (limiting that which our eyes gaze upon), neither can we lend our hands to committing sin. They that belong to Christ have crucified the flesh (Galatians 5:24).
Tuesday: A Warning against Divorce — Matthew 5:31-32
From the beginning, God favored marriage, but never divorce. He allowed divorce for limited situations, but even then, the uncleanness leading to divorce was to be established by two witnesses, and then a bill of divorcement had to be issued, which proclaimed the divorced one free so they might seek rightful marriage to another. Judah’s leaders had diluted God’s law to grant divorces on a whim. Jesus refocuses on the original meaning of marriage: two becoming one flesh. For adultery only (the outright breaking of the marital union), was divorce to be considered.
Wednesday: The Danger of Vows — Matthew 5:33-37
The Jewish society of Jesus’ day had become plagued with so much deceitfulness that a man’s simple word meant nothing. To convince others that one was telling the truth, the swearing of vows had become commonplace. Even then, some vows were considered binding, while others weren’t. For serious testimony, there was an appropriate application of vows, but God forbade vows given in everyday conversation. Why are they even necessary if we are all speaking with integrity? Let your yes be yes.
Thursday: An Eye for an Eye — Matthew 5:38-42
The main intent of including this in Moses’ law was to curtail anger, violence, and revenge. The punishment for a wrong done must be fitting, and not in excess—the mandate of true justice. But the teaching in these verses really addresses the attitude we have about self. Do we lay down our lives and possessions for the sake of others, or are we defensive and demanding? Do we seek first our own, or put first the best interest of others?
Friday: Loving Your Enemies — Matthew 5:43-45; Luke 6:27-30
Jesus contradicted the religious who taught we should love our neighbors and hate our enemies. How do we love our enemies? We mustn’t react to the way they treat us. We must have genuine love and compassion even for those who are abusive. We must bless them—do good to them—pray for them.
Saturday: What do you do more than others? — Matthew 5:46-48; Luke 6:31-36
The Christian is to be different. He is to be “like Christ.” He is to forgive what many consider “unforgiveable.” He is to love those considered “unlovable.” He reaches out to help those deemed entirely “helpless.” We do this not for applause or acclaim, but because this is who we are in Christ. He forgave us, delivered us, changed us, renewed us. We love, because He first loved us. We are perfect creations in Christ. We are to be like Him.